Syrian army forces have targeted terrorists from the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terror group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, in the country's west-central province of Hama as government forces and allied fighters from popular defense group are trying to purge the Arab country of foreign-backed Takfiri militants.

Syria’s state-run television reported that army troopers had shelled terrorist strongholds in the town of al-Lataminah, located 39 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital Hama, and other militant-held areas in the northern edge of the province.

The offensive came after Jabhat Fateh al-Sham militants fired shells on the government-controlled town of Mahardah, located about 23 kilometers northwest of Hama, killing nine people and wounding 20 others. Three of the injured are said to be in a critical condition, Presstv Reported.

Meanwhile, Syrian army forces have beefed up their presence in the hilly Tulul al-Safa region northeast of Jabal al-Arab volcanic plateau in the country’s southwestern province of Sweida.

Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that army units, in cooperation with allied forces, carried out special military operations against Daesh terrorists in the area, destroying a large number of their positions.

The report added that government forces had managed to kill a large number of militants, and cut off their supplying routes.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country.

Syrian army troopers, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have recently made major territorial gains in battles against Daesh and other foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorist groups, almost capturing the entire southern part of the country after securing the capital Damascus and other key areas.

The major militant stronghold remains in the northwestern province of Idlib, where government forces are preparing to launch a full-scale military offensive.

Takfiri militants are also in control of some areas of Hama province, and are holding some desert regions near the border with Turkey.

Moreover, negotiations have been taking place between the political wing of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are backed by the US, and the Syrian government on ways to end violence in Syria.